What to know about paying for therapy
One of the first questions people ask when reaching out for therapy is: “Do you take insurance?” At Still & South Counseling, I work with clients in South Carolina and Virginia who want to know the pros and cons of both insurance and self-pay for therapy. No matter what you choose, know that therapy is within reach.
Using Insurance for Therapy
Insurance can make therapy more affordable since your sessions may be covered or reduced to a copay. But there are trade-offs:
A mental health diagnosis is required for coverage, which becomes part of your medical record
Insurance can limit how many sessions you have, how often your sessions are, and what type of therapy is covered
Insurance companies are able to see your session notes at any time
Choosing Self-Pay Therapy
With self-pay, you pay directly, which gives you more freedom and privacy. Benefits include:
No diagnosis required
More flexibility in session length and frequency
Therapy focused on your goals, not insurance requirements
Complete confidentiality—your information stays between you and your therapist
At Still & South Counseling, I can provide a superbill (an itemized receipt) that you can submit to your insurance for out-of-network reimbursement, giving you the benefits of both flexibility and partial cost coverage. Many clients’ insurance companies reimburse them for sessions.
The Choice Is Yours
At Still & South Counseling, many of my clients choose self-pay because it allows them to focus fully on their healing journey on their terms while others choose to use insurance. Have more questions? Book a free consult call and we can talk it all through or schedule time on my calendar.
